I have the great pleasure of welcoming Historical Romance author and RoNA award nominated Jenni Fletcher to Chicks, Rogues and Scandals, so take a seat and let’s get to know a little about Jenni…

Jenni Fletcher was born on the north coast of Scotland and now lives in Yorkshire, where she writes Medieval, Roman and Victorian romance novels.She studied English at Cambridge University before doing an MA on Women and Literature inEnglish and a PhD on Victorian & Edwardian literature at Hull University. After realising that she was better at writing than teaching, she worked in a number of administrative jobs whilst trying to finish her first book, which was rejected. Thinking there must have been some mistake, she then wrote another, which was fortunately accepted by Harlequin Mills&Boon.She spends a large part of her day obsessing about things like the Oxford Comma and whether she uses exclamation marks too often (she does!) whilst getting distracted by Twitter. The rest of the time she drinks too much caffeine, eats too much chocolate, and tries not to drop crumbs into her keyboard.When not writing, obsessing or cleaning up after her children, she likes mountain biking, hiking and watching period dramas (her husband joins her for two of those). She knows nothing about sport or crime fiction, but can talk with authority on Minecraft, Star Trek (mainly Next Generation) and the Lord of the Rings. Her favourite Jane Austen novel is Persuasion and her favourite Brontë is Anne. If she had to choose a romantic hero it would be John Thornton, but maybe that’s just because she’s Northern.

Frankie Hi Jenni, Welcome to Chicks, Rogues and Scandals! Thank you for taking the time to chat with me today.

Firstly what five words would you use to describe yourself?

Jenni Technologically incompetent caffeine/chocolate addict.

Frankie If you could take a holiday in any era and place, When and where would it be? And Why?

Jenni I used to think the Wild West, but then I watched Westworld, so now I’d probably say the height of the Victorian era. I’d wear the biggest crinoline I could find and go to the Great Exhibition. Then I’d have Afternoon Tea (the greatest of all Victorian inventions).

Frankie Ooh, yes! Can you tell us a little about latest release? This can be your most recent or up-and coming release.

Jenni My next book is called ‘Captain Amberton’s Inherited Bride’ and is set in a faux-Medieval castle on the Yorkshire Moors above Whitby. It’s the second in my Victorian series and I wanted it to have a different feel to the first so I’ve gone a bit gothic. My heroine has spent her whole life being oppressed by her father and my hero is a reformed womaniser who’s just been invalided out of the Fusiliers. I don’t want to say too much, except that there’s a slow-speed horse and cart chase over the snowy Moors…

Frankie Now this sounds like my cup of tea, Yorkshire, Military heroes and Victorian, perfect! Who was your childhood hero?

Jenni Jane Russell. I used to pretend to be her character (Mike) in ‘Son of Paleface’. She was a cattle-rustler/saloon singer and I thought she was fabulous. Then I wanted to be Deanna Troi in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Apparently I like dark, sultry brunettes.

Frankie If you could have one of your books made into a film, which book would it be and who would play your lead characters?

JenniMy next book, which should hopefully be out later this year. I don’t have a title for it yet, but it’s set on Hadrian’s Wall in 197AD and there are some action scenes I’d like to see onscreen. My heroine would be played by Eleanor Tomlinson from Poldark and my hero would be Channing Tatum (looking exactly the way he does in The Eagle).

Frankie Oh, my!! 😉 Out of all your work, who is your favourite character and why?

Jenni Aediva from ‘Married to her Enemy’, just because she was my first heroine. Also she’s brave and feisty and fiercely protective of her family.

Frankie Where doe’s your inspiration for your books come from?

Jenni Sometimes from visiting castles (one of my favourite hobbies), sometimes from reading history books (‘Besieged and Betrothed’ came out of my interest in Stephen and Matilda) and sometimes just randomly. I’m working on a Regency that was inspired by a biscuit!

Frankie Ha,ha,ha! A biscuit? Intriguing, What three tip’s would you pass on to an aspiring author?

Jenni Read lots, don’t compare yourself to anyone else (easier said than done) and remember that we all get writer’s block sometimes.

Frankie If you were hosting a dinner party what three people would you invite? (They can be real/fictional, from any era)

JenniTwo of my favourite Medieval women, Empress Matilda and Eleanor of Aquitaine, just to see who was the biggest diva, and Dr Janina Ramirez. I met her at a book festival last autumn and she was lovely. She gave me a hug! She’s also incredibly smart – with fabulous taste in shoes – so a great role model for women all round.

(left to right: Matilda, Eleanor & Janina)

Frankie Ooh, I like, strong women putting the world to rights! 😉 Thank you, Jenni for taking the time out of your busy schedule to chat with me today, I have just one more cheeky question, just for fun . . . What is your all-time favourite naughty but nice food?

JenniRocky road. That way I get chocolate AND marshmallows! Thanks for having me. X

Oh, Yummy! Thank you Jenni.

***

Jenni’s up and coming release; Captain Amberton’s Inherited Bride is to be released on 22nd March.

‘Marry me…

…And you’ll have your freedom.’

Her father’s will dictates that Violet Harper must wed or be disinherited—but she’d rather face the wilderness of the wintry Yorkshire moors than be bound to cynical, damaged soldier Lance Amberton. Lance promises a marriage of convenience that will grant Violet her independence. In exchange she must put her faith in Lance, and see beyond his gruff exterior to the man beneath…

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming Historical Romance author Elizabeth Keysian to Chicks, Rogues and Scandals. So take a seat a lets get to know a little about Elizabeth…

Elizabeth first started writing fiction when she was eight, encouraged to do so by her Head Teacher father, who needed something to keep her quiet during school holidays. Her favorite topics were mermaids, ghosts, Norman knights and quests, and she illustrated and decorated her own books. She emerged from the world of her imagination to read History at the University of London, after which she spent many years working as an archaeologist and artifact illustrator. She then became a primary school teacher, after which she moved to museum education work, and display and collections management.

Elizabeth has been involved in Medieval, Tudor, and English Civil War re-enactment and has enjoyed sword-play and traditional archery, excelling in neither. She lived for seven years on a Knights Templar estate in Essex where she pursued her interest in historical textiles, cookery and medicine. She loves anything to do with the past, and still looks down holes in the ground to see if there’s anything archaeological in them. There generally isn’t

She has written sixteen historical romances and a novella since moving to the West of England in 1997, the landscape and history of which have inspired the “Wayward in Wessex” and “Wanton in Wessex” series, published by Entangled Publishing.

Frankie Hi Elizabeth, Welcome to Chicks, Rogues and Scandals! Thank you for taking the time to chat with me today.

Firstly, what five word’s would you use to describe yourself?

Elizabeth Angst-ridden (can I count that as one word?). Entertaining. Introverted. Nerdy. Eccentric.

Frankie If you could take a holiday in any era and place, When and where would it be? And Why?

Elizabeth Oh my goodness! Given the choice, I’d head right back to Ancient Macedonia during the time of Alexander the Great. As a teen, I read Mary Renault’s book “Fire from Heaven” and fell in love with Alexander, or at least, the view of him she presented in her story. She’s just amazing at conjuring up the sights, smells and atmosphere of those distant times. I so want to experience the art, culture, and daily life of these classical civilizations. L.P. Hartley once wrote, “The past is a foreign country…”. So it is, and I’d love to be able to travel there.

Frankie That’s such a fabulous answer! Can you tell us a little about latest release? This can be your most recent or up-and coming release.

Elizabeth This is a book which wooed the crowds when originally published on the free reading site, Wattpad. It got to #1 in the Historical Fiction category, to my great astonishment. It’s called VANQUISHING THE VISCOUNT now, and will be Book #3 in the Wayward in Wessex series. The hero is based on someone on whom I had an incredible crush when I was younger, and I feel this makes him much more real and relatable, whilst at the same time being distant and untouchable because of his elevated social standing.

The heroine is a governess. Think “Jane Eyre” meets “Pride and Prejudice” and you’ll get the picture.

Frankie That sounds wonderful, who was your childhood hero?

Elizabeth I think it may have been Captain Scarlet. I was about six at the time. Is it okay to have a fictional hero? I was always intrigued by the fact he was “indestructible”. You’d see him get covered in rubble and sit there with your heart in your mouth, hoping he hadn’t finally met his end. Then the rocks would start to move and he’d emerge, brush off the dust, and head off after the villains again. What a guy!

Frankie If you could have one of your books made into a film, which book would it be and who would play your lead character’s?

ElizabethA PERILOUS PASSION would make a great film, because there’s dramatic scenery, suspense, and plenty of action, as well as romance. Aidan Turner would make the perfect Earl of Beckport, spy-catcher, and the helpful heroine—disgraced smuggler’s daughter Charlotte Allston—would be played by a young Keira Knightley.

Frankie That would be so good, it’s a great book! I’d definitely watch it 😊 Out of all your work, who is your favourite character and why?

Elizabeth That would be my alluring gipsy healer, Ephraim Campion, in A POTION FOR PASSION, which comes out later this year with Entangled Publishing. He’s brave, he’s sexy, he has an intriguing past, and makes an incredible sacrifice to be with the woman he loves. He’s also interested in the same sorts of things as me—the Regency underworld, herbal medicine, natural dyes and folklore. And he can hold his own in a fight, which comes in handy at the climax of the book!

Frankie Where does your inspiration for your books come from?

Elizabeth I have spent an awfully long time working in the heritage industry, so I’ve got loads of ideas from there. I try to write books which include quirky and original situations, starting with just the germ of an idea based on something I’ve seen or experienced. For example, I’ve started creating a story based around an item in a museum collection, a half-finished satin pelisse (Regency lady’s coat). Why was it never finished? Where’s the rest of it? Who made it, and what was her story?

Frankie How fascinating! What three tips would you pass on to an aspiring author?

Elizabeth …..

Tip One. Never, ever give up.

Tip Two. Don’t expect financial rewards.

Tip Three. Make friends with other authors. You’re going to find you need their support and words of wisdom. I know I did. And still do!

Frankie If you were hosting a dinner party what three people would you invite? (They can be real/fictional, from any era)

Elizabeth Can I just invite Gerard Butler, Aidan Turner and Richard Armitage, and make them eat with their shirts off while I just sit and drool? Oh heck, I’m so shallow, I’m ashamed of myself.

Frankie Ha,ha,ha!! Yes, Love it! Now that is a dinner party I would definitely gate crash 😉 Thank you Elizabeth, for taking the time out of your busy schedule to chat with me today, I have just one more cheeky question, just for fun . . . What is your all-time favourite naughty but nice food?

Elizabeth I was thinking about Black Forest gateau earlier today. Alas, I couldn’t eat it now, as I have a sensitivity to dairy products, and probably chocolate as well. Maybe one day I’ll try to make one for myself, using non-naughty ingredients. Now there’s a plan!

FrankieOh, Yummmmy! Thank you.

Elizabeth Thanks, Frankie. That was a great bunch of questions, and I’ve loved chatting with you here today!

Elizabeth’s up and coming release; Vanquashing the Viscount is out this month, for more information make sure you follow Elizabeth on Twitter so not to miss out on any news.

Emma Hibbert will never trust a good-looking man again-they have nothing to offer but heartbreak and humiliation. So when she rescues a sinfully handsome stranger from an accident, it’s all-out war against the passions he ignites. She can’t afford distractions-she has to hide her past and protect her family. But the stranger Emma saved is Viscount Tidworth, and she soon realises she should have left the stricken aristocrat on the muddy road where she found him. He’s a friend of her new employer, and has the power to ruin everything.

Tidworth blames Emma for wrecking his betrothal plans, and threatens to expose her deception. But when she risks her reputation for him, he vows to make amends to Emma and her family. The mistrustful beauty sees his gratitude as meddling, until a moonlight kiss exposes the viscount’s true feelings.

Then a notice appears in the paper, claiming Emma’s engaged to Charles Keane, Tidworth’s best friend…

I have the pleasure to have Historical Fiction author; Mark Brownlow visiting Chicks, Rogues and Scandals today to chat, so take a seat and lets get to know a little about Mark…

Mark Brownlow is a British-born writer living in Vienna, Austria. His debut novel, Cake and Courtship, is a Regency romance narrated by Pride and Prejudice’s Mr Bennet. He has also written a novella, The Lovesick Maid, a cozy mystery set in Jane Austen’s fictional village of Hunsford. You can find Mark at LostOpinions.com , where he is known for his reimagining of classic literature as emails.

Science degrees from the Universities of Oxford, Aberdeen and Reading prefaced a short-lived career as a research academic. Since turning from facts to fiction, Mark has also worked as a translator, agony aunt, marketing consultant, journalist, business writer, web publisher and copywriter. None of which kept his soul happy in the way that creative writing does. When not writing, he works as a part-time lecturer in medical and scientific English at a local university.

If there is no pen to hand, he can be found watching his kids play football or sharing a glass of wine with his wife in front of a costume or historical drama.

Frankie Hi Mark, Welcome to Chicks, Rogues and Scandals! Thank you for taking the time to chat with me today.

Mark Thank you, Frankie, for letting me visit your wonderful blog.

Frankie Aw, your too kind, Firstly what five word’s would you use to describe yourself?

Mark I once asked my youngest son for his input on a similar question and the only polite answer he came up with was “unfocused”, so let’s call that “creative”. Reserved, peace-loving, whatever word describes “a constant battle between chronic over- and under-confidence”, and, well, tired.

More Edward Ferrars than Mr Darcy.

Frankie If you could take a holiday in any era and place, When and where would it be? And Why?

Mark I always envy those times when you could be active in different spheres of achievement or when there were great periods of optimistic change when anything seemed possible.

I was in the Beatles Museum recently and the early 60s seemed full of excitement. Perhaps 1900 in Vienna, just to hang around the coffee shops?

Let’s plump for late Regency England with some antibiotics and water purification tablets, plus a dozen diamonds sewn into my shirt. I could take lots of notes to save hours of research later. Then, if allowed to stay on after the holiday, I’d take a long trip around the capitals of Europe until the likes of Dickens and Darwin start work and I can have a few chats with them in London.

Frankie Ha,ha! I like it, Can you tell us a little about your latest release? This can be your most recent or up-and coming release.

Mark After writing a Regency romance novel (Cake and Courtship), I’ve stayed in the Austenesque world with a little mystery novella “starring” Charlotte Collins. In “The Lovesick Maid”, a young woman falls ill, but all is not what it seems. There’s a pinch of romance in there, too.

Charlotte is an interesting character because she fits in everywhere and nowhere, thanks to her unique position as the wife of the local clergyman. My goal was to write something you could enjoy and finish in a quiet afternoon with a cup of tea and a packet of chocolate biscuits.

Frankie How interesting, Who was your childhood hero?

Mark My memory is dreadful, but it was probably a two-way tie between Darth Vader and the Liverpool football team of the late 1970s and early 1980s. A model of Darth Vader still sits on my desk today.

Frankie If you could have one of your books made into a film, which book would it be and who would play your lead character’s?

MarkAn interesting question, as I tend to write while imagining a TV series unfolding before me. So I often have actors in mind. Cake and Courtship. With Matthew Macfadyen as Mr Bennet, once he hits his late forties, and the couple he’s trying to bring together would be played by a young Dan Stevens (as John Barton) and a young Audrey Hepburn (as Anne Hayter).

Frankie Oooh, that would be such a great film, Out of all your work, who is your favourite character and why?

Mark I have a soft spot for Mr Collins, but he’s Jane Austen’s character, not mine. He’s odious, but a comic delight with so much to offer a writer. Of my own characters: Anne Hayter. She’s sharp and intelligent, but kind with it.

Frankie Where doe’s your inspiration for your books come from?

Mark Given the genre, the original novels by Jane Austen. But otherwise I subscribe to Leonard Cohen’s view: “If I knew where the good songs came from, I’d go there more often.”

Having said that, I also like Terry Pratchett’s idea that “Particles of raw inspiration sleet through the universe all the time. Every once in a while one of them hits a receptive mind…” So I try to keep my mind receptive, and find beauty and interest in even the most mundane of things.

Frankie How interesting! What three tip’s would you pass on to an aspiring author?

Mark As a newcomer, I’d hesitate to offer any advice. But in terms of actually getting a novel finished…

Perseverance. Keep pushing at it. Keep moving forward.

Don’t get too distracted or intimidated by what everyone else is doing, saying and achieving.

Surround yourself with a few trusted people, particularly those that can help you become a better writer.

Frankie Those are wonderful tips, thank you! If you were hosting a dinner party what three people would you invite? (They can be real/fictional, from any era)

Mark This is tricky, because the people I’d most like to have dinner with probably wouldn’t get on with each other. So we’d have a lot of awkward silences and I would hide my embarrassment by drinking far more than is good for me.

I’ll pick Terry Pratchett, Jane Austen and Jürgen Klopp (a football manager). I’d love to hear the first two discuss their trade and both would be very amusing. After they leave, Jürgen and I can talk about football without worrying about boring the other guests.

Frankie Ha,ha,ha! I love that, Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to chat with me today, I have just one more cheeky question, just for fun . . . What is your all-time favourite naughty but nice food?

MarkThanks again for having me! And to answer your last question, well, I’m not a huge fan of cake (despite the title of my first novel). Salt and vinegar flavour crisps. They are now available locally here in Austria, massively improving my quality of life. Or maybe mint chocolate. Or strawberry pavlova with extra whipped cream. Mmmm.

Frankie That all sounds great, Thank you Mark!

Mark’s latest book the Love Sick Maid; A Pride and Predjudice Sequel is out now.

Join Charlotte Collins in a cozy mystery novella as she tackles the troubles of the Hunsford villagers.

One of the maids at Rosings Park is sick. But is there more to Mary Booth’s illness than a broken heart? Only Charlotte has enough wits about her to find the answer.

In this Pride and Prejudice sequel, Mark Brownlow brings Jane Austen’s Hunsford and Rosings Park to life. Meet familiar characters like the lovelorn Anne de Bourgh, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Mr Collins and, of course, Lady Catherine. Discover new faces, too, as Charlotte searches for the truth.

A quick and enjoyable Regency read for a lazy afternoon with tea and biscuits. Look out for more mysteries with Charlotte in future books.

I have the great pleasure of having new Historical Romance author; Ana Morgan visit Chicks, Rogues and Scandals today for a chat, so take a seat and lets get to know a little about Ana…

When she was small, Ana Morgan’s life goal was to know something about everything. She has waitressed, driven a school bus, milked cows, run craft service on an indie film set, hiked through European castles, wired a house, married a Marine, and studied the stars. She can change a flat tire but prefers a gallant, handsome stranger who strips off his jacket and spins the lug nuts for her.

Ana embarked on her writing career by crafting succinct cooking directions for her Secret Garden soup mixes—and graduated to lyrical essays about living on a small organic farm for her CSA’s weekly newsletter. Eventually she realized she wanted to write what she loved to read—steamy romance novels.

She and her husband eloped six weeks after they met and moved from southern California to northern Minnesota. They taught themselves how to milk cows (at first by hand), and raised three go-getter children. One is an award-winning woodworker. Another is IT super-smart. The third is an actor-director-producer.

Ana edits for a regional literary publication, The Talking Stick, and currently serves as president of From the Heart Romance Writers.

Frankie Hi Ana, Welcome to Chicks, Rogues and Scandals! Thank you for taking the time to chat with me today.

Firstly, what five words would you use to describe yourself?

Ana Studious, tenacious, loyal, life-long learner, lover of words.

Frankie If you could take a holiday in any era and place, when and where would it be? And why?

Ana I’d go back to the time of Arthur and Guinevere and apprentice with Merlin. Learn to be wise and mysterious and do magic.

Frankie Oooh, that’s a new one on me and I like it! Can you tell us a little about latest release? This can be your most recent or up-and coming release.

AnaStormy Hawkins was released last fall. It’s a sweeping historical adventure that begins and ends with love on a Dakota Territory cattle ranch. In between, there’s an explosion on a Missouri River boat, a kidnapping, and the return of a prodigal son. It’s been described as a page-turner.

Frankie That sounds brilliant, Who was your childhood hero?

Ana My family lived in Frankfurt, Germany when I was a child. My hero was our cleaning lady. She and her family had escaped from East Germany with just the clothes on their backs. I watched her eat an apple one day, everything but the stem and the seeds. I was ashamed of how much I wasted when I ate an apple. Since that day, I have been uber-conscious of not wasting food, water, and other resources.

Frankie That is such a lovely answer, Thank you! If you could have one of your books made into a film, which book would it be and who would play your lead character’s?

AnaStormy Hawkins is my first published book, but I have a manuscript under my bed that I would love to make into a movie. It’s a time travel where the heroine wakes up in her previous life as a spoiled princess in 15th century Brittany. She has to convince the Celtic priest hero to send her back before she’s forced to marry the sadistic cousin of King Louis. High drama, sumptuous costumes and, of course, more magic. The hero would be played by Gerard Butler (Sean Connery is too old. Sigh.) The heroine could be played by Gal Godot.

Frankie Wow! That sounds brilliant, a bit like Outlander. I would definitely watch/read it. Out of all your work, who is your favourite character and why?

Ana That’s hard to say. There is a bit of me in every heroine I’ve created—Stormy Hawkins, Mary Masters, Angel Foster, Joni Folkright. And I fall in love with every hero. They are Alpha males: physically and morally strong, intelligent, determined to point of being stubborn. Most importantly, they discover that their heroine’s love is what they’ve been missing.

Frankie Where does your inspiration for your books come from?

Ana From dreams. More correctly, what swirls in my head as I wake up, before thoughts of the physical world intrude.

Frankie What three tips would you pass on to an aspiring author?

Ana Join a critique group, online if you can’t find a local one. Study a lot by reading books of craft or taking classes. Again, so many are available online. Don’t expect to have your first submission accepted.

And—if I may?—don’t ever give up on your dream of being able to tell a really good story.

Frankie Off course, those are brilliant tips, Thank you! If you were hosting a dinner party what three people would you invite? (They can be real/fictional, from any era.)

Ana I’d invite Helen Keller because she was simply amazing; blind and deaf and brilliant. She proved to the world that disabled people are gifted. I’d invite Anne Frank because she had hope when facing pure evil. And I’d invite Queen Elizabeth I. She sacrificed her personal desires for her country and ruled it brilliantly.

Frankie That would be a seriously brilliant dinner party, Thank you Ana for taking the time out of your busy schedule to chat with me today, I have just one more cheeky question, just for fun . . . What is your all-time favourite naughty but nice food?

Ana Cheesecake!

Thank you, Frankie. These were great questions.

Ana Morgan

Frankie Ha,ha! Ditto, Thank you!

***

Ana’s debut book; Stormy Hawkins (Prairie Hearts #1) is out now and can be found at Amazon.

Blade Masters has finally spotted his ideal Dakota Territory ranch, where he can live alone, forget his cheating ex-fiancée, and bury the shards of his shattered heart. All he needs to do is sweet-talk the ailing owner, and his spitfire daughter, into retiring.

If she weren’t desperate, Stormy would never hire a cowhand. She’s learned the hard way that she’s happier working her family’s ranch alone. But, the greedy banker who holds their mortgage just demanded payment in full—or her hand in marriage.

Will this handsome drifter protect her? Or does he have designs of his own?

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming lovely Historical Romance author; Renee Ann Miller to Chicks, Rogues and Scandals, so take a seat and lets get to know a little about Renee Ann…

Renee Ann Miller writes historical romances that are sometimes witty, sometimes dark, but always sensual. She was a 2015 & 2016 finalist in the Golden Heart Contest® from Romance Writers of America®. Renee penned her first book at the tender age of seven and even drew the impressive stick figures—though clearly those characters weren’t as spicy as the ones she writes now.

She loves romantic stories, excessive amounts of chocolate, DIY projects, and gardening. And pastries… can’t forget those. She lives in the Northeast with her wonderful husband. They met their first day at college and have been married for over twenty-five years, which seems odd since she insists she’s only thirty-nine. Obviously, math isn’t her best subject

Frankie If you could live in any era and place, When and where would it be? And Why?

Renee Ann I enjoy reading books that take place in the past, so I’d love to time travel back to 18th and 19th century England. But to stay there permanently would mean giving up today’s technology and comforts—no internet, medical advances, BBC movies, um, plumbing. I guess I’d have to say the present.

Frankie I agree with you there! Who was your childhood hero?

Renee Ann I really didn’t have one. Unless, you can count Cary Grant. While other kids were watching Happy Days and Laverne and Shirly on TV, I was watching all his movies. More than once. Though I don’t think I would call him a hero, more like a heartthrob. 😊

Frankie What is your favourite time of the year?

Renee Ann The younger me would have said summer, but now I love autumn. The changing leaves, favorite foods like pumpkin pie and apples, cooler temperatures, and snuggling up with a warm blanket and a good book.

Frankie Out of all your work, who is your favourite character and why?

Renee Ann I’ve written three books that will be released over the next two years. The first, Never Dare a Wicked Earl, has Lord Hayden Westfield. I think Hayden is my favorite character because he really has a heart of gold. The problem is it’s tarnished, but I enjoyed his slow transformation and that it took someone special to uncover it.

Frankie he sounds like a very interesting character to get to know. Where doe’s your inspiration for your books come from?

Renee Ann Now, that’s a tough question. Honestly, I’m not sure. I started writing not too long ago, having thought about it for years. One day I sat down and began typing. I guess if I had to give an answer, it would be my love of romantic stories – where no matter what happened to the main characters, I knew they would end up with a happily-ever-after.

Frankie What three tip’s would you pass on to an aspiring author?

Renee AnnIf you enjoy writing keep at it. Try to stay positive and believe in yourself. And find a supportive group of writers who share your passion.

Frankie Those are wonderful tips, thank you for sharing them Renee. If youwere hosting a dinner party what three people would you invite? (They can be real/fictional, from any era)

Frankie Ooh, very nice! 😉 Thank you Renee Ann for taking the time out of your busy schedule to chat with me today, I have just one more cheeky question, just for fun . . . What is your all-time favourite naughty but nice food?

Renee Ann I love pastries. All pastries, but if I had to choose one, it would be Danishes with cheesecake filling. Yep, my mouth is watering at the thought, while my brain is saying it will only add to the size of my derriere. 😊

Frankie, thanks for having me! This was my first interview and it was a blast!

Frankie You are very welcome, Renee Ann! Thank you for chatting with me today.

Renee Ann’s up and coming book Never Deceive a Viscount; which is book 2 in The Infamous Lords Series is to be released on 29th March and can be pre ordered now at Amazon.

Never Dare a Wicked Earl (The Infamous Lords Series #1)

Known as a brazen philanderer, Hayden Milton, Earl of Westfield, is almost done in by a vengeful mistress who aims a gun at a rather essential part of his anatomy—but ends up wounding his thigh instead. Recuperating in his London town house, Hayden is confronted by his new medical attendant. Sophia Camden intrigues him, for behind her starched uniform is an enticing beauty better suited for bedding than dispensing salves and changing bandages.

Unshaken by his arrogance, not to mention impropriety, Sophia offers Hayden a dare: allow her ten days to prove her competency. If she resigns in exasperation like her two predecessors, she will be beholden to this wicked seducer. As a battle of wills begins, Sophia finds herself distracted by the Earl’s muscular physique . . . and discovers that the man within longs only for a second chance to love.

I have the great pleasure of hosting an exclusive cover reveal of Ashley York’s up and coming release; Daughter of the King which is book three in the Derbfine Series.

A mistaken identity. A gruesome murder. Was it self-defense? Or Regicide?

Trained as a warrior, Brighit of Clan Cruadhlaoch despises the trappings and demands of womanhood…

Selfish dreams need to be set aside for the good of the clan, but a shocking murder only causes more turmoil. Especially as she stands accused. With no one else to turn to, can Brighit find escape in the arms of her new husband or will he require she reveal her inner most secrets?

Darragh of Clan MacNaughton is expected to follow his father into kingship but has little desire for the coveted title…

His willful wife is another matter. He has great desire for her. Despite her denial, he sees her womanly virtues and it sets him afire to know her, both body and soul. Will she resist his overwhelming need to possess all of her?

Daughter of the King is to be released 17th March 2018, and is available for pre-order atAmazon.com / Amazon UK

Award-winning author Ashley York writes historical romance full of passion and intrigue set in 11th and 12th century Ireland, Scotland, and England where life was wild and survival was never guaranteed.

Whether it’s in the mysterious ring forts of Ireland, the Scottish Highlands, or the battle fields of Hastings, her characters fight hard and play hard. Good or evil, primary or secondary, they’ll yank at your emotions and make it hard to put her books down.

Passionate about history and research, York may tweak some historical facts (like the location of the Baron’s Rebellion) but the flavor of the time is undeniable. With heroes and heroines you’ll want to read about again and again, her stories are fresh and unpredictable but still finish with a satisfying HEA.Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Amazon

Today I have the great pleasure of having new Contemporary Author; Laura Danks visiting Chicks Rogues and Scandals, so take a seat and let’s get to know a little about Laura…

Laura Danks, was born and raised in Italy. She studied Classics in Milan hoping to follow in the footsteps of Indiana Jones, her childhood hero. Instead of treasure hunting in snakes infested temples, in 2001 she moved to London to work in Online Advertising. She eventually decided to give up her a fifteen-year career to write full-time. She has the tendency to hide classical references in her books as a fun brain teasers for her readers.

She now lives in a two-hundred year old cottage near Cambridge with her husband, her two kids, Hugo the cat and a type-writer.

Her debut novel ‘Almost Forever’ a tale of love and loss based on the tragic love of Paolo Malatesta and Francesca da Rimini from Dante’s Divina Commedia, Inferno canto V, is published by HQDigital.

Frankie Hi Laura, Welcome to Chicks, Rogues and Scandals! Thank you for taking the time to chat with me today…Firstly, what five words would you use to describe yourself?

Laura An Italian Geek, swinging between Cynical and Visionary. In need of sleep.

Frankie That’s great! 😊 If you could live in any era and place, When and where would it be? And Why?

Laura I absolutely love New York in 1950s. I can imagine myself working in a bakery shop in Little Italy or a family run pizzeria in Brooklyn.

Frankie Oooh! I like it. What is your favourite time of the year?

Laura I like Spring best. I love to watch the beauty of the bulbs suddenly popping out from the ground and the vivid green of the new leaves appearing on the bare branches.

Frankie Out of all your work, who is your favourite character and why?

Laura This is a very difficult question to answer, as all the characters in Almost Forever, in my WIP and my short stories, have their faults and their virtues so they annoy me but I also grew fond of them all. If I have to choose one character above all other, then I’d say Harry FitzRoy from Almost Forever. He is such a loyal friend to Fran and I admire the way he sacrifices his happiness for the people he loves. I feel he was the one who had the harder place in the story given that the plot is loosely based on the story of real people and I tried to keep as much as I could of that in my novel.

Frankie Where doe’s your inspiration for your books come from?

Laura The plot itself is, as mentioned before, loosely based on Dante’s representation of the tragic love between Paolo Malatesta and Francesca da Rimini, in the Divina Commedia, Inferno, Canto V. There are lots of references to their story that I’ve placed there to tease the readers with a passion for the Classics. I really hope the reader will appreciated my attempt to create a novel that has layers that can be explored in more depth, of course they can also be left untouched but I think the reader will get less out of the book if taking the plot at face value.

I guess it’ll be up to every single reader to decide how much they want to dig and explore, but I do believe that the ones who would bother to look under the surface may enjoy the journey more.

Also, the book was directly influenced by a challenging personal experience that tested my strengths making me questioned if love can actually always prevail and realise that the answer is no. Miracles happen but they are not the norm despite how much we would like to change the cards that were dished out to us.

This experience made me understand that it is all about the “how” one deals with the reality of life, not necessarily with the ability to change what happens to us.

FrankieWhat an amazing thing you are doing, very highly commendable and for such a worthy cause. I wish you luck! Who was your childhood hero?

Laura Indiana Jones. Without a doubt. I wanted to be like him when I grew up and that’s why I studied Classics. It’s still my dream to go treasure hunting in a temple, maybe when I retire I’ll fulfil that dream.

FrankieWhat three tip’s would you pass on to an aspiring author?

Laura Well, I think it’s flattering to ask me that question, given that I’m a “newbie” myself. After all, Almost Forever is my debut novel and I’m still finding my feet, so I’ll just share this small pearl of wisdom which I used throughout my life and always served me well:

“Success is when preparation meets opportunity”

I truly believe in this message and I think that any aspiring author should keep these words handy every time they receive a rejection letter, or a bad critique, or a nasty review, or another disappointing “No thank you”.

Have something ready, keep improving it, keep writing other stuff too, experiment in different genre, and keep seeking opportunities because success may be within your reach, you just need those elements to align.

Frankie I think that brilliant advise and it has served you well as you are now a published author. If youwere hosting a dinner party what three people would you invite? (They can be real/fictional, from any era)

Laura I think I’d love to have dinner with George Orwell, Roberto Benigni and Rosa Luxemburg. I think fireworks would be guaranteed.

Frankie Ha, ha! Absolutely! Thank you, Laura for taking the time out of your busy schedule to chat with me today, I have just one more cheeky question, just for fun . . . What is your all-time favourite naughty but nice food?

Laura There is only one answer for me here: Nutella!

Frankie Ha, ha, ha! I love it! Thank you Laura.

💜💜💜

Laura’s Debut book Almost Forever is to released on 9th February and can be pre-ordered at Amazon.

Perfect for fans of Nicholas Sparks, Cecilia Ahern and Jojo Moyes

Can love truly conquer all?

When a vicious attack leaves Paul in a coma on his wedding day, the doctors fear he will never wake up. But his fiancée Fran will never give up hope.

Fran has always known Paul is the only man for her, from the first moment they locked eyes as children to the day he finally told her he loved her. Paul can’t leave her, not now their lives are just about to begin.

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